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Cited by 269Obesity, Physical Activity, DietPhysical Activity and HealthRegulation of Appetite and Obesity

Physical activity energy expenditure has not declined since the 1980s and matches energy expenditures of wild mammals

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Westerterp, K R, Speakman, J R·2008·International Journal of Obesity
DOI 10.1038/ijo.2008.74
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Abstract

Objective Obesity results from protracted energy imbalance. Whether this comprises excessive energy intake, lowered physical activity or both, remains disputed.Design Physical activity energy expenditure, evaluated in three different ways from daily energy expenditure (DEE) measured using doubly labelled water, was examined for trends over time. Data included subjects in Europe (Maastricht, the Netherlands) and North America extending back to the 1980s. These data were compared with measures from the third world, and measures made on wild terrestrial mammals.Results Physical activity expenditure in Europe (residual of the regression of DEE on basal energy expenditure (BEE)) has slightly but significantly increased since the 1980s. There was no trend over time in physical activity level (PAL=DEE/BEE), or in the residual variance in DEE once mass, sex and age were accounted for. This latter index of physical activity expenditure also significantly increased over time in North America. DEE of individuals in Europe and North America was not significantly different from individuals measured in the third world. In wild terrestrial mammals, DEE mostly depended on body mass and ambient temperature. Predicted DEE for a 78 kg mammal living at 20 degrees C was 9.2 MJ per day (95% CI: 7.9-12.9 MJ per day), not significantly different from the measured DEE of modern humans (around 10.2-12.6 MJ per day).Conclusion As physical activity expenditure has not declined over the same period that obesity rates have increased dramatically, and daily energy expenditure of modern man is in line with energy expenditure in wild mammals, it is unlikely that decreased expenditure has fuelled the obesity epidemic.

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  • The prevalence of obesity in the U.S. increased from 5% to 22% over the period of 1980 to 2005.

    “The prevalence of obesity in the U.S. increased from 5% to 22% over the period of 1980 to 2005 [55].”

    From Physical Activity and Modernization among Bolivian Amerindians (2013) · cites this paper as [55]

  • There is no evidence for a decline in PAL over the same 25-yr period where obesity prevalence in the U.S. quadrupled.

    “Indeed, there is no evidence for a decline in PAL over the same 25-yr period where obesity prevalence in the U.S. quadrupled [55].”

    From Physical Activity and Modernization among Bolivian Amerindians (2013) · cites this paper as [55]

  • Total daily energy expenditure of many human populations, including "sedentary" Westerners and people in developing countries, falls along the same regression line determined by body mass and ambient temperature, as 90 species of wild terrestrial mammals who are not obese.

    “Third, total daily energy expenditure of many human populations, including “sedentary” Westerners and people in developing countries, falls along the same regression line determined by body mass and ambient temperature, as 90 species of wild terrestrial mammals who are not obese [55], [59].”

    From Physical Activity and Modernization among Bolivian Amerindians (2013) · cites this paper as [55]

  • DLW estimates of energy expenditure determined between 1988 and 2006 did not significantly differ.

    “Indeed, DLW estimates of energy expenditure determined between 1988 (555) and 2006 (554) did not significantly differ.”

    From Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases (2012) · cites this paper as [555]

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Authors
Westerterp, K. R., & Speakman, J. R.
Affiliations
  • Maastricht University (NL)
  • University of Aberdeen (GB)
Corresponding author
Westerterp, K R
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Obesity
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2008-05-27
Volume
32
Issue
8
Pages
1256-1263
ISSN
  • 0307-0565 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5497
DOI
10.1038/ijo.2008.74
OpenAlex
W1983164606
Cited by
269
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 32
FWCI
24.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • International Journal of Obesity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
Keywords
physical activity energy expenditure, daily energy expenditure, obesity, energy imbalance, physical activity level, body mass, ambient temperature, obesity epidemic, basal energy expenditure
MeSH terms
Adult, Animals, Developing Countries, Energy Metabolism, Female, Forecasting, Humans, Male, Mammals, Motor Activity, Netherlands, North America, Obesity, Temperature, Body Mass Index, Young Adult

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